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Abstract
Since antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health concern, alternative therapeutic sources derived from medicinal plants are required. In this study, cold and hot water extracts of Polyalthialongifolia leaves were examined for their phytochemical composition and antibacterial qualities. Extracts were made with aqueous solvents and tested using the agar well diffusion method against specific bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The antimicrobial potency was measured using the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of compounds linked to antimicrobial and therapeutic effects, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids. In contrast to the cold extract, the hot water extract demonstrated better antibacterial activity, suggesting that higher extraction temperatures promote the release of bioactive compounds. The research highlights Polyalthialongifolia's potential as a source of plant-based antimicrobial agents appropriate for upcoming pharmaceutical development and validates its ethnomedical significance.
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